LIAT continues strict maintenance programme following fire

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, June 22, 2012 – Regional airline LIAT continues to provide regular services throughout its network two weeks after a fire destroyed one of its two hangars at the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua.

Director of Maintenance Alan Alexander explained that the remaining hangar had the capability and ability to maintain the airplanes in accordance with the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority approved maintenance programme.

“We also have ramp maintenance capabilities in Antigua as well as engineering personnel at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados and the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad,” he said.

“With regards for work normally scheduled for the hangar lost in the fire, LIAT has two Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA)-approved Maintenance and Repair Organisations (MROs) and workshops outside of the region (in Canada) to do maintenance work on its aircraft.

“So there is no inability to continue with regular maintenance of our aircraft in compliance with both ECCAA and the manufacturers requirements,” Mr. Alexander added.

As it relates to maintenance records which were destroyed in the fire, the Director of Maintenance said LIAT’s maintenance records are in fact digitally recorded on a network server.

“The maintenance records which were destroyed were hard copy, mainly of a historic nature, that would not normally have been referenced on a daily basis to ensure continued airworthiness,” Mr. Alexander said.

“We are currently working, with assistance from the aircraft and power plant manufacturers, to reconstruct the historical records,” he added.